Senate Leader Earns GOP Ire as Public Face of His Party's Refusal to Agree to Curbs on Health Law

WASHINGTON—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid took a few minutes Wednesday to marvel at his stature as the Democrat Republicans most love to hate.

"John Boehner could reopen the government, but he's too obsessed with beating the 'Villain of Villains,' " Mr. Reid said during a speech on the Senate floor, referring to a National Review article branding the majority leader with that moniker.